NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ Donald Trump's three casinos in Atlantic City have lost an appeal to recover nearly $3 million in overpaid utility taxes.

The taxes were charged in error by Atlantic City Electric between 1998 and 2001.

The casinos had successfully filed for refunds on similar overpaid taxes assessed by the utility between 2001 and 2004.

But a state tax court ruled their filing on the earlier overpayment wasn't made within the four-year statute of limitations.

Trump attorneys argued the deadline should have been extended because the tax wasn't clearly stated on the bills.

In its ruling Friday, the appeals court agreed with the lower court that the error could have been discovered earlier.

A lawyer for the casinos says his client is reviewing the ruling.

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